Hanover council endorses official plan review, appoints steering committee

The Town of Hanover council on April 8 endorsed a review of the town’s official plan and appointed a steering committee that will guide a multi‑phase process of technical review and public engagement.

The council received staff report PB0325 and voted to move forward with a review intended to ensure the town plan conforms with the Planning Act, the revised Provincial Policy Statement and the Gray County official plan. The motion named county planner Liz Buckton and consultant Dan Clever of Kobi Engineering as members of the steering committee.

"An official plan is a comprehensive, forward‑thinking document that outlines the community’s long‑term vision," Andrew Wilin, the town’s director of building and planning and chief building official, told council as he introduced the report. He said the review will set policies on housing location and density, employment, transportation, parks and natural heritage and will feed into future zoning bylaw work.

Consultant Dana Kefir, senior development planner with Kobi Engineering, outlined the project sequence: an initial technical review, a jurisdictional comparison with nearby municipalities and the county, public and agency engagement, a draft official plan for circulation and then statutory public meetings before final decisions by council and Gray County. "We are at the project initiation stage," Kefir said. "Phase two will be research and analysis, then public engagement including open houses and a statutory public meeting with council."

Kefir told council the review will address a long list of topics including affordable housing, climate change considerations, active transportation, servicing and parkland needs. She also listed recent provincial legislative changes—cited in the presentation as Bill 23, Bill 97 and Bill 185—and an updated Provincial Policy Statement as drivers for the town’s work.

Councillor Harold Fleet asked whether parking standards are set in the official plan; staff replied that parking is typically regulated through the zoning bylaw. Councillor Susan Sackle asked how the town’s plan will align with Gray County’s policies on items such as bike lanes; staff said they will perform a conformity exercise to clarify which provisions the town must implement and which county policies are recommendations.

Council then voted "all in favor" to carry PB0325. Deputy Mayor Warren Dickert moved to adjourn at 4:19 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Councillor Fleet and approved.

Next steps outlined by staff and the consultant include forming the steering committee, scheduling public engagement events and beginning the technical review and jurisdictional comparisons that will inform a draft official plan.